Organizers announced today that Danny Willingham has been named Grand Marshal for the 2018 Christmas Under the Stars Lighted Parade which will take place Thursday, December 6th at 6:30 PM in Downtown Brownwood.“We are excited to be able to honor Danny Willingham as the Christmas Under the Stars Parade Grand Marshal.” Said Sunni Modawell, Executive Director for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. “Danny has made such a difference in the lives of hundreds of children in Brownwood and deserves to be recognized.”

Danny has a long history of working within the community. During his time studying at Howard Payne University he worked at Camp Champions on Lake LBJ for 5 summers and that is where he developed his love for working with children.

Upon graduation, he worked 18 months at The Brownwood State School and later he spent 10 years at MHMR, now known as The Center for Life Resources. Danny recently retired after being the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County for 20 years.

When asked what his favorite part of working for the Boys & Girls Club had been Willingham replied, “It had to be having over 150 kids get off the school bus each day and want to high five you or hug you. I’m proud of the legacy of Boys & Girls Club and I’m proud that they are going to continue to serve kids and grow.”

This year's parade is sponsored by Texas Rock Crusher Railway.The parade will feature floats, vehicles, walkers, horses, classic cars, marching bands and more. The Christmas Under the Stars Lighted Parade will kick off a weekend of holiday events at the Depot Plaza including the 10th annual Christmas Under the Stars Festival on Friday December, 7th and Saturday, December 8th sponsored by Brownwood Regional Medical Center. The festival will include Santa Claus, "snow mountain," kids’ activities, big wheel races and more.